IASO

Greek Name

Transliteration

Latin Spelling

Translation

IASO was the goddess of cures, remedies and modes of healing. She was a daughter and attendant of the medicine-god Asklepios. Her sisters included Panakeia (Panacea) (Cure-All) and Hygeia (Good Health).

FAMILY OF IASO

PARENTS

ENCYCLOPEDIA

IASO (Iasô), i. e. Recovery, a daughter of Asclepius or Amphiaraus, and sister of Hygieia, was worshipped as the goddess of recovery; and in the temple of Amphiaraus at Oropus a part of the altar was dedicated to her, in common with Aphrodite, Panaceia, Hygieia, and Athena Paeonia. (Paus. i. 34. § 2; Aristoph. Plut. 701, with the Schol.; Hesych. s. v.)

Aristophanes, Plutus 701 (trans. O'Neill) (Greek comedy C5th to 4th B.C.) :
"[Comedy-play in which two Athenians take the blind god Ploutos (Plutus) to the temple of Asklepios (Asclepius) to be healed. The god appears accompanied by his daughters Iaso and Panakeia (Panacea).]
Wife : And did not the god [Asklepios] come?
Kario (Cario) : He did not tarry; and when he was near us, oh! dear! such a good joke happened. My belly was quite blown up, and I let a thunderous fart!
Wife : Doubtless the god pulled a wry face?
Kario : No, but [his daughters] Iaso blushed a little and Panakeia (Panacea) turned her head away, holding her nose; my farts are not perfume.
Wife : And what did the god do? . . .
Kario : Asklepios did the round of the patients and examined them all with great attention."